The Carolina Panthers have been about as busy as any NFL team this offseason, pulling off two trades and signing a high number of mostly low-cost free agents. They also released their former MVP quarterback and saw their best defensive player retire. In other words? It’s a totally different roster than it was just a few months ago.
Let’s take a look at the team’s current salary cap situation two weeks into free agency.
With Cam Newton’s contract off the books, the highest cap hit for Carolina this year will be defensive tackle Kawann Short, who will count for $19,464,000 against the cap. Short’s number is followed by former middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, whose $15,510,059 hit is about as brutal as they come for someone who won’t be playing.
Teddy Bridgewater’s new deal counts for $14 million against the cap this year, which is a very reasonable price for a respectable starter. He will get much more expensive in 2021, when Bridgewater’s cap hit rises to $23 million.
Left tackle Russell Okung is the next most expensive player on the roster. He will cost the team $13,187,500.
That’s also roughly about how much salary cap space the team has left to spend in 2020. According to Over the Cap, that number is $13,076,796.
$13 million to play with isn’t a ton of money in this era. However, it should be enough to make at least one more splash signing before the draft next month. In our opinion, the team’s top target should be former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who is the best remaining talent on the market who doesn’t play quarterback.
There’s a reason why Clowney hasn’t been re-signed by the Seahawks or landed anywhere else yet, though. While his stats don’t always show it, he is one of the league’s most disruptive defenders and whoever signs him will probably have to pay through the nose. The Panthers can save $3 million by cutting running back Mike Davis, which would help but might not be enough to bridge the gap.
Other less expensive options include slot cornerback Logan Ryan, defensive tackle Mike Daniels and tight end Delanie Walker.
[lawrence-related id=620337]
[vertical-gallery id=619576]